6ix
Posts:485
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| 02/10/2014 10:12 AM |
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Dubai seems similar to North Korea in the since they act like a child wanting attention. In this case, attention from the rest of the world. NK has no shame in doctoring press photos and Dubai is a fabricated modern city with no support structure. If you've seen Syriana, perhaps you'll remember this quote from Matt Damon, "You know what the business community thinks of you? They think that a hundred years ago you were living in tents out here in the desert chopping each other's heads off and that's where you'll be in another hundred years."
Professional cyclists are paid to ride. Duh. But all these races in the Middle East just goes to show how much they want to get attention from the West. Cycling has absolutely no connection to their past culture. And now they get the World Championships and the start of the GIro? Wow, how much money are they throwing at the UCI? |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 02/10/2014 10:42 AM |
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Countries like Dubai, Qatar want the west's attention because they know there's a finite timeline to oil revenue. That is why they're in the process of building alternate economies, like tourism, finance. Exposure to west is largely through sports sponsorships like soccer, F1, cycling etc.
Lots of money being thrown at the wall. Will it stick? Qatar is doing more damage than good with its attempt to organize the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the back of migrant workers that are just a small step above slaves. |
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jrt1045
Posts:363
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| 02/10/2014 11:01 AM |
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| The market for bikes can't be all that great, pointless race. Probably just a travel junket for the more Max Mosley-esque members of the UCI. For the riders I bet it really sucks to race there |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 02/10/2014 11:52 AM |
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Gotta be careful racing over there....different laws than most Westerners know / understand. Professional triathlete Andrew Starykowicz was detained in Abu Dhabi after colliding with a volunteer at an aid station and leaving the scene to continue his race. (Note - the volunteer was critically injured and placed in a medically induced coma).
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/06/news/andrew-starykowicz-spent-time-in-jail-following-abu-dhabi-international-triathlon_56047
Now, some of how Starykowicz is portraying the incident is exaggerated. He makes it sound like he spent a month in jail, when it was *only* less than 24 hours. The remainder of the time he was detained, he stayed in the apartment of a friend. Nonetheless, it sounds like a sucky situation overall. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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jrt1045
Posts:363
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| 02/10/2014 12:34 PM |
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the tri guy ran over the wrong volunteer from the wrong social group
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 02/10/2014 01:03 PM |
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Middle East? Isn't that the desolate stretch between western Pennsylvania and Iowa? (I went to school where the fight song boasts "Champions of the West" but I look at a map and think "naw".)
Ben |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 02/10/2014 01:46 PM |
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| OC, what do you hear in Europe regarding the Qatar world cup? From here in the US sounds like FIFA wants it played during winter, but UEFA is balking at changing their league schedules. |
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The Short White Guy™
Posts:56
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| 02/10/2014 03:40 PM |
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Posted By j t on 02/10/2014 12:34 PM
the tri guy ran over the wrong volunteer from the wrong social group
LOL...I get it!
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Master50
Posts:340
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| 02/10/2014 06:34 PM |
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I had the good luck to work at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006 and the Racing was Boring unless you love riding into the wind then riding with the wind. The terrain is flat and the biggest feature is the wind. The roads don't go anywhere and where they do go is a straight line.
So good races for speed training and they are likely dry and warm, both nice things in the early season. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 02/10/2014 06:35 PM |
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Posted By Frederick Jones on 02/10/2014 01:46 PM
OC, what do you hear in Europe regarding the Qatar world cup? From here in the US sounds like FIFA wants it played during winter, but UEFA is balking at changing their league schedules.
Yes, significant push back but ultimately FIFA will have the upper hand. There's no way in hell they're going to be able to play this in desert summer heat.
But this is a minor issue compared to the scores that have died on the construction sites already. Someone at FIFA should be strung up on a high pole for this.
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